derek hough

Dancing With the Stars had no choice but to go big for their 10th anniversary, and they shocked everyone with a major bombshell about one of their own. SPOILER ALERT AHEAD! Derek Hough is returning for season 20! I know you're thinking, But that's not possible! After being cast in Radio City Music Hall's New York Spring Spectacular, it was said he wouldn't be returning to Dancing With the Stars until the fall. But not anymore! He's back this season and paired with Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin. As you guys read this, I'm backstage at ABC (for the Good Morning America announcement), so I'll talk with Derek and bring you all the scoop later! In the meantime, here's the season 20 celeb cast and pairings! RUMER WILLIS (paired with Val Chmerkovskiy): This one was leaked in the press a couple of days ago, but I'm super excited about the casting. Rumer (the daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore) is a natural performer (she just completed an incredible run in For the Record: Tarantino in Concert and is currently staring in For the Record: John Hughes) and her feistiness will be a perfect fit for Val. Twitter following: 271,000 MICHAEL read more

Wow, Val Chmerkovskiy and Janel Parrish and Derek Hough and Bethany Mota! That's going to be one hell of a post-work celebration after the talented duos achieved perfect scores on Dancing With the Stars tonight. Unfortunately for another couple, it was a cross-country red-eye flight with salty peanuts and a bruised ego. So who was it? Read on after the break! Jonathan Bennett and Allison Holker and Randy Couture and Karina Smirnoff were the last two "in jeopardy," with Randy and Karina going home. There was definite surprise in the press room, as we all expected Randy to be a bit of a dark horse this season. Update: Randy and Karina were only able to do a couple of interviews backstage before boarding their flight for Good Morning America, but she told ABCNews Radio that while she didn't necessarily expect to be eliminated so soon, she was so grateful for the fans who have already voiced their disappointment. What's interesting is that when asked about whether she'd be returning to DWTS next season, Karina explained that there isn't a contract in place for that yet, and no decision has been made. For more audio clips from her exit interview, click read more

Get those paddleboards ready! Julianne Hough confirmed on Good Morning America this morning that she'll be returning to the ballroom as the fourth judge on Dancing With the Stars this season. It will be a family affair again now that brother Derek is also returning. The news wasn't that shocking, as TMZ posted the rumor earlier this week and then Julianne tweeted this teaser last night: I'm on my way..... I've got a big announcement on gma tomorrow morning! Tune in to find out.... http://t.co/utAIAQ3BrU— Julianne Hough (@juliannehough) August 21, 2014 Still, the bigger question is what does this mean for reformed bad boy Maksim Chmerkovskiy? After revealing that he wouldn't be returning to DWTS as a professional dancer that seemed to all but indicate he'd be joining the judges table. But now that Julianne has taken up that spot (and it seems Len, Carrie Ann, and Bruno will be back), where does that leave Maks? Stay tuned next week for the rumored celeb cast list for season 19! What do you think about Julianne Hough joining the judges panel? read more

There is not a lot of dancing in Nashville. Rayna doesn't do it. Juliette is more of a walker/shaker. And Scarlett, well, Scarlett has other things to deal with right now. But there's presumably about to be an uptick in smooth moves, because one of the world's most famous dancers, Derek Hough, is joining the cast of Nashville for a major arc in season three. Let's get the bad news out of the way: He won't be playing himself, partnering with one of the main characters on a fake DWTS run. Sad. Instead, he'll be playing a movie star who shows up on the country scene while making a musical biopic. In other words: In his acting debut, Hough will be playing an actor who's playing a singer, but we don't know yet how much singing or dancing he'll actually do. His character's name is Noah West. It's all a bit confusing, but let's focus on what's important here—who is Noah West going to romance? How about Tandy? How about Tandy gets to have some fun for once, you know? read more

In all my seasons of covering Dancing With the Stars, I can't remember when there was more interest in which celebs and pro dancers would be competing on an upcoming season. Well, we're halfway there. Earlier today on Good Morning America, ABC announced that the celebrity cast will be revealed on September 4 (more on who that could be next week). But at this point in the series run, the more pressing question has been "Which pro dancers will be back?" I have good news to report: Derek Hough is returning! Whew! But who won't? Read on! Returning pros are... *Mark Ballas (last paired with Candace Cameron Bure) *Cheryl Burke (last paired with Drew Carey) *Whitney Carson (last paired with Cody Simpson) *Val Chmerkovskiy (last paired with Danica McKellar) *Tony Dovolani (last paired with NeNe Leakes) *Derek Hough (last paired with Amy Purdy) *Peta Murgatroyd (last paired with James Maslow) *Emma Slater (last paired with Billy Dee Williams) *Karina Smirnoff (last paired with Sean Avery) And the new pros are... *Artem Chigvintsev (Originally from Russia, Artem made his professional dancing debut on the original U.K. version of DWTS, where he won the Mirrorball trophy. Artem was also one of the read more

The Dancing With the Stars family sure knows how to keep us on our toes. Whether it's a couple in jeopardy or a secret "romance" with a resident bad boy and an all-American girl, this show knows how to keep us talking (and watching). Can you blame them? Because when you get right down to it, it works. We're invested in not just the celebs but the dancers, the hosts, and the process. And, of course, who's hooking up with whom. But as we approach DWTS season 19, the uncertain futures of Derek Hough, Mark Ballas, Cheryl Burke, and Maksim Chmerkovskiy may actually not be something the show is orchestrating—in fact, it could very much be a reality that those four pros don't return. Derek Hough and Mark Ballas hit the blue carpet at the Young Hollywood Awards Sunday night, which airs this evening on the CW. When I last spoke with the Dancing With the Stars executive producers, they informed me that they want Maks back, but nothing was certain. At the ESPYs a few days later, Cheryl Burke confided that after almost 10 years, she may be ready to say goodbye. Then, when I met up with season-18 read more

Congratulations, Maks and Meryl fans! You can all breathe a collective sigh of relief! The red-hot couple took home the coveted Mirrorball trophy on Dancing With the Stars, thanks to what has been the most passionate fan base I've ever seen. Of course, their amazing dancing technique and sizzling chemistry might have had something to do with that. Amy and Derek were the runners-up, with Candace and Mark coming in third place. So what happened after the show? Did Maks and Meryl admit to having a romantic future? See what happened when I posed that very question! Yes, I nearly lost my mind when Derek went in for the fake-kiss. I mean, what just happened?! Last week I was applying sunscreen to him, and this week I'm doing the faux-makeout? God I love my job. Meanwhile, after the ballroom had mostly cleared out (the audience, press, etc.), Maks and Meryl took a few minutes to pose for some personal photos before dashing off to the airport. I caught up with all three judges prior to the show tonight (how stunning did Carrie Ann Inaba look?), and it was obvious they are as sad to see this season come to an read more

Hard to believe we're almost at the finish line, but after a great season, Dancing With the Stars season 18 is almost in the books. I spent yesterday morning with the four remaining couples to find out secrets leading up to next Monday and Tuesday's finale (there will be an elimination on Monday night; three couples will fight for the Mirrorball on Tuesday) and also got a little crazy with Derek Hough (wait until you see that photo below!) Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas Glamour: So now that you’ve revealed you’ll be dancing to New Kids on the Block in your freestyle... Candace: Amazing! Mark: No! Glamour: Ugh, fine! Let's get down to business. @DWTSGossip wants to know what you enjoy more, Mark? Teaching the dance, creating the dance, or performing the dance? Candace: It’s not teaching the dance to Candace. I can answer that for you! Mark: I really enjoy creating the dance. I don’t like teaching it. I love performing it. Even as a child when I had to compete, I hated having to practice. I hated the lessons. It just goes on and on and on. I just wanted to get out there and do it. read more

Just when I thought it was going to be a relatively calm week behind the scenes of Dancing With the Stars, I quickly learned otherwise. Less than an hour before show time, my fellow journalists and I got an email from ABC publicity letting us know that there was going to be an elimination early on in the telecast and we'd be able to interview the eliminated couple while the show was still going on (that never happens). Of course, the couple in question was obvious as soon as Tom Bergeron revealed at the top of the show that Billy Dee Williams and Emma Slater would not be dancing because the former Star Wars actor was going to have to bow out of the competition due to recurring back problems. Billy Dee plans to be back to perform in the finale, and you can expect to see him in the ballroom as an audience member in the weeks to come. Fellow DWTS contestant Cody Simpson was sad to see the actor go: "I spoke to him for a while, and I’m going to miss him. He was always genuinely [praising] our performances. He’s so nice." As I mentioned last week, read more

Welcome back, Mirrorball readers! Hard to believe it's already that time of year again, but here we are behind-the-scenes of Dancing With the Stars season 18! I can't wait to read your comments below, but I thought the premiere episode could not have gone better, and Erin Andrews hit it out of the ballroom (how's that for my dancing/sports analogy?) in her debut as Tom Bergeron's cohost. Best Surprise Guest: R2-D2 and a couple of Ewoks, who made their way backstage for a few photo opps (I freaked!). Billy Dee Williams' dance was something out of the Kate Gosselin/Bill Nye dance books, but it sure was entertaining. This Season's Leah Remini: If there was an award for the best personality, give it to NeNe Leakes, who had the entire press room cracking up with her hilarious trash talk in her rehearsal package. And did you see her strut her stuff when she entered the ballroom? This is a gal who will leave kicking and screaming if she's eliminated before her time—and rightfully so. Most Surprising Fact: Meryl Davis told me that one of the best perks of being on DWTS is getting her makeup done because she did it herself read more

Something weird was in the air at DWTS last night, and no, it had nothing to do with Team Spooky Bon Bon's "Thriller"-esque dance routine. Dancing With the Stars saw another one of its top contestants go home, and that was just one of the many odd things that went down. Bizarre: I should have known something was up when Karina Smirnoff admitted to me that her partner, Corbin Bleu, gets turned on by hot sauce. Corbin even confirmed it: "I don't know why," he told me. "It's not like I've had some crazy sexual experience with hot sauce!" Still, that little bit of knowledge has actually come in handy for Karina during some of their steamier dances. "Whenever we have a sexy dance, I just walk around covered in hot sauce!" (By the way, Karina also told me that she's never had more fun on a season of DWTS than this one with Corbin. "I knew he was going to be cool, but I've never experienced as normal and as fun a season as this.") Really Bizarre: I think it's safe to say that of the eight couples remaining, Jack Osbourne, Leah Remini, and Bill Engvall have the most read more

Here's something you guys probably never expected to hear: Being backstage at Dancing With the Stars every week is not easy! (I know, I know). After all, the dancers and their partners can only talk about their scores and dances for so long. They get tired of it. They want us to come up with interesting things to talk about, which is easy the first few weeks, but for a 10-week show, it's hard (one reporter recently tried to pry info out of Derek Hough and his rumored romance with Nina Dobrev, but he politely declined). So, thanks to you guys, I came up with a fun solution: reader questions! And, of course, my backstage report wouldn't be complete without talking to Elizabeth Berkley about her amazing Saved by the Bell routine, so make sure you read all the way through! Q: What do you do during commercial breaks? Snooki: Take bathroom breaks, get water, tweet. I usually keep my phone in my bra until I dance, and then I lay it on the floor. Leah Remini: Tonight, Tony and I got sushi at craft services after we danced. Tony Dovolani: I call my wife and ask her what she read more

Dancing With the Stars was all about celebrating Hollywood last night, but as far as Cristina Cacciotti (that's Valerie Harper's daughter) and I were concerned, it was mother-daughter night in the ballroom; my mom flew in from St. Louis! Backstage after Bill Nye was eliminated (gotta say, that robot dance was nothing short of genius given his inability to move half his body), I asked several of the contestants, Q: Since it's Hollywood week, what's the most "L.A." thing you've ever done? Derek Hough: When I first came to L.A., I was here for like two months, and I went to Prince’s house for Oscar night. I snuck in and don’t even know how I got through, but Chris Tucker opens the door and goes, ‘Hey, man!’ And I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I love you!’ Prince did a three-hour set in his living room. Stevie Wonder jammed out too. I was like, ‘is this how it is forever?!’ That was the best night of my life, and L.A. just went downhill from there, haha. It doesn’t get much better than that! I even played piano in a room that looked like a spaceship! It was ridiculous. Amber Riley: I’m read more

Welp, consider me surprised. After Nina Dobrev and her Vampire Diaries costar Ian Somerhalder called it quits in May, I thought she'd enjoy living the single 24-year-old life for a while. I mean, just look at these cute pics with BFF Julianne Hough. And that brings me back to the point of this post: Nina's started seeing Julianne's brother, Derek! At first this coupling seems odd to me, but if you consider that Derek's the BIG bro of her BFF, the pairing makes more sense to me. Doesn't everyone at some point in their life have a crush on their friend's older brother? "[Nina] was hanging a lot with Derek's sister Julianne," a source told Us Weekly. "Then she fell for him." And it seems the 28-year-old is head over heels: "Derek is smitten with Nina," the source says. "He said he hasn't felt this way for a girl in a long time. Everyone approves!" So, what do you think of this coupling? Would you date your friend's brother (or have you)? Or is that hands-off territory? read more

And we're back! Harold Wheeler, that's your cue! I honestly didn't realize how much I missed my Dancing With the Stars family until I entered the glitzy ballroom, got a whiff or two of some spray tans, and embraced Mark Ballas for a good-luck hug. Even J.Lo was there! And you know what was waiting for us in the press room? Oh, just some awesome gift bags with Stila's new Dancing With the Stars collection! I'm beyond obsessed already. ABC asked the media to be part of their big opening number, and it did not disappoint. Here was my view from the front row of the faux red carpet. During rehearsal though, Len Goodman became a rock star and loved every minute of it. Elizabeth Berkley's hair got some last minute touch-ups. You just know that Jessie Spano hair is going to make a comeback at some point during the season, and I can't wait. Amber Riley looking like absolute perfection. Your hip OK, Tom Bergeron? Hey, Mom, l made it on TV! Backstage post-show, Valerie Harper was swarmed by literally every celebrity and their family asking for pics, and Val took every one. Here she is with the most read more

Hard to believe, but we are only one month away from the Primetime Emmys. Last night the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences held its Performers Peer Group Reception to honor those nominees who aren't currently on vacation or filming, and it was a soiree not to be missed. Derek Hough revealed that he will officially be back on Dancing With the Stars this fall. As for who he'll be paired with? We won't know that until September 4 (according to Derek, even he doesn't know). Glamour reader Dee LoLo had a pressing question for the double Emmy nominee: @JRadloff Can you ask @derekhough if he's performing at #PrimetimeEmmys or only wkg on the choreography routine for #NeilPatrickHarris ? thx— Dee Lolo (@upclose22) August 19, 2013 Hough's response? "I'll be doing a bit of both. All of us fellow nominees and all of us fellow choreographers are doing a big piece. Neil will be a part of it. He'll be in it. I'll be performing in it. We're very excited. We've been brainstorming ideas about music and ideas." You'd think Derek has all the confidence in the world, but he joked that he'll be wearing Depends on Emmy night. "I'll read more

Everyone wants to be on the cover of Glamour. Well, at least everyone at Dancing With the Stars. Honestly, who could blame 'em? It all started when Aussie stud Ingo Rademacher declared in an interview with ABCNews Radio that he wanted the cover of Glamour. "My friend Pink is on the cover right now. She's my homie. We know each other from living in Malibu. I don't know why she didn't ask me to be on the cover too!" So I thought, you know, let's get the remaining contestants (sans Bachelor Sean Lowe, whom I missed on the press line) to pose for their best faux Glamour cover and see which one you like best! For the record, I think it's going to be a match-up between Ingo and Aly—those two want it bad! (Hey, Ingo even admitted he'd take the cover over a Mirrorball trophy.) Cover #1: Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff Jacoby kept apologizing for his bright yellow outfit. "I hate the Steelers, and this is Steeler yellow!" Cover #2: Aly Raisman The Raismeister made a pitch for the July cover of Glamour in 2016 when the Olympics hit Rio de Janiero. You listening, guys? Cover #3: Kellie read more

I'm going to admit something that I probably shouldn't. There are some nights (and last night was one of them), that I was dragging as I was getting ready to go to Dancing With the Stars. It's not that I take what I do for granted (never!), but sometimes—no matter if the biggest celeb on the planet is going to be at an event—all you want to do is stay at home in your PJs and relax. And to be honest, there are some events that even when you get home you're like, "Yeah, I don't know if that was worth it." But I can honestly say, Dancing With the Stars has never been one of them. If I'm exhausted, then DWTS perks me up. If I've had a frustrating day, then DWTS makes me forget about it. And if I'm feeling blah, then DWTS puts a smile on my face. Whether it's the publicists, my fellow journalists, the pro-dancers, or the celeb contestants, it really is an amazing place to be, and I don't say that lightly. So, let's get to all the backstage action on Stevie Wonder night, shall we?! Ingo Rademacher's Birthday Bonanza! OK, a little backstory read more

Truth be told, I wasn't sure if the show was going to go on last night in the wake of the horrible tragedy out of Boston. But as I told Boston native Aly Raisman, if there was any show that would fit the evening, it's Dancing With the Stars, which has been a lesson in courage, inspiration, and joy to so many this season. Here's DWTS host Tom Bergeron talking backstage about the events in Boston. He has family there and began his career in the city as well. Getting back to Aly, though, she did admit to me that it was hard performing on such a devastating night. "During the whole show, that’s all I was thinking about. At the same time, you want to bring the audience some kind of joy, but it was really hard. It’s just really devastating and very upsetting. I hope I did an OK job.” D.L. Hughley (who finished the night tied for last place with Andy Dick) told me backstage that his partner, Cheryl Burke, was very apprehensive about doing a live show in the wake of the news. "I don't want to speak for her, but I felt the show has read more